German battery cell manufacturer CustomCells and US-based silicon battery material producer Group14 have entered into a multi-year supply agreement, securing CustomCells access to Group14’s SCC55 silicon battery material beyond 2030.
The deal, valued at over $300 million, underscores CustomCells’ strategic move to bolster its supply chain for advanced battery technologies, with implications extending to its planned expansion into the US market. CustomCells recently established a subsidiary in Detroit to facilitate its entry into the American market, aiming to build a factory capable of producing up to two gigawatt-hours of batteries.
The agreement follows previous collaborations between CustomCells and Group14 since 2020, with CustomCells CEO Dirk Abendroth noting, “We have proven the potential of Group14’s SCC55 and have also made high-performance prototype cells available to our customers, which have been very well received.”
Group14’s SCC55 is known for its silicon-carbon anode material, promising higher energy density and faster charging capabilities compared to traditional graphite anodes. Rick Luebbe, CEO and co-founder of Group14, highlighted the transformative impact of SCC55, stating, “We see rapidly growing demand for Group14’s advanced silicon battery material due to the dramatic performance improvements in energy density and extreme fast-charging rates.”
CustomCells anticipates leveraging this partnership to pioneer new battery chemistries and technological advancements, including the development of a round cell format aimed at pushing performance boundaries in energy storage.
